Electronic system informing a first electronic device of user remote control activity involving a second electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic system is presented which includes a remote control device and a first electronic device. In one embodiment, the remote control device is configured to accept a user input signifying a command for a second electronic device, as well as generate the command for the second electronic device, and an indication of the command. In another embodiment, the remote control device is configured to accept a user input that causes a mode change of the remote control device, wherein the mode identifies one of a plurality of electronic devices that receive commands from the remote control device. The remote control device is also configured to transmit the command to the second electronic device, if applicable, and transmit the indication of the command or mode change to the first electronic device. The first electronic device is configured to receive and process the indication to alter operation of the first electronic device.

BACKGROUND

While entertainment-oriented electronic devices, such as televisionsets, audio amplifiers or receivers, compact disc (CD) and digital videodisc (DVD) players, and cable and satellite television set-top boxes,have become increasingly advanced, possibly the most important functionassociated with such a device is also one of the most common: theability to control the device remotely.

Typically, a remote control device is provided by the manufacturer ofthe particular electronic device to be controlled. Today, remote controldevices employ infrared or ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless signalsto issue commands to the associated electronic device, typicallyemploying a format of the manufacturer's choosing. As a result, a remotecontrol designed for one electronic device typically is incapable ofcontrolling another electronic device, especially one produced by adifferent manufacturer. Such a circumstance is often beneficial,however, as unintentional changes in the operation of one electronicdevice while controlling another is ordinarily undesirable. For example,intended modification of a selected channel of a satellite set-top boxthat also causes a channel change of a connected television set, orvice-versa, may make effective remote control of the two devicesproblematic, if not impossible.

Remote control device designs have evolved over the last few decades,providing greater control over the devices to the user. Furthermore, asthe number of electronic devices that are controllable remotely hasincreased over time, remote control devices capable of controllingmultiple components have become popular. Such capability is helpful inan environment such as a family room, which may contain a set-top box,television, DVD player, and the like. To this end, many suchmulti-component remote control devices include two or more buttons whichthe user may activate to set the “mode” of the remote control device.The mode determines which electronic device is to be controlled bysubsequent button presses on the remote control device, such as thepower button, the channel selection buttons, and the volume controlbuttons. Typically, one mode button is identified for each electronicdevice to be controlled, such as a cable or satellite broadcast set-topbox, a television set, a video cassette recorder, an audio amplifier orreceiver, or a CD or DVD player. Further, the remote control deviceallows the user to program one or more of the mode buttons tocommunicate with one of a variety of electronic devices from differentmanufacturers.

Generally, multi-component remote control devices only control oneelectronic device on the basis of the current mode setting of the remotecontrol device. In some cases, however, a remote control device may beprogrammed to turn on or off multiple electronic devices with thepressing of a single button of the remote control device.

Even with remote control functionality, some electronic devices mayperform various functions autonomously. For example, some satellitebroadcast set-top boxes transition from an operational mode to a“standby” mode on its own, during which programming is unavailable tothe television set connected with the set-top box. In some cases,standby mode is initiated after a predetermined period of time since thelast user interaction with the set-top box, such as a change in channelselection or an access of a menu system. Standby mode typically involvespowering down a resident hard drive and other circuitry to reduce powerand wear of the set-top box. Also, housekeeping information, such asprogramming schedule updates and network status, may be downloaded tothe set-top box during standby mode.

However, even if the user has not interacted with the satellitebroadcast set-top box for an extended period of time, such as for anumber of hours, the user may be accessing a music channel available viathe set-top box through the majority of a day or evening to providebackground music for a party or while performing household chores. Inanother instance, the user may be viewing a television series marathon,in which a number of episodes of a particular television show arepresented in succession. In these and other cases, the user may beutilizing the set-top box without actively controlling the set-top box,either by way of a remote control device or directly through a userpanel on the set-top box itself. Unfortunately, the set-top box mayinitiate standby mode under such circumstances, likely creating userfrustration in the process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic system including a remotecontrol device and an associated electronic device according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of theinvention for informing a first electronic device concerning control ofa second electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic system including a remotecontrol device and an associated electronic device according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of theinvention for informing an electronic device concerning activity of aremote control device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic system including a remotecontrol device and at least two associated electronic devices accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 presents a block diagram of an electronic system 100 including aremote control device 110 and a first electronic device 120. In oneembodiment, the first electronic device 120 and a second electronicdevice 130 are configured to be controlled by the remote control device110. In conjunction with FIG. 1, FIG. 2 provides a flow diagramdescribing a method 200 for informing the first electronic device 120concerning control of the second electronic device 130. In the method200, a user input 170 signifying a command 140 for the second electronicdevice 130 is received at the remote control device 110 (operation 202).The command 140 for the second electronic device 130 is generated in theremote control device 110 (operation 204). An indication 150 of thecommand 140 is also generated in the remote control device 110(operation 206). The command 140 is transmitted from the remote controldevice 110 to the second electronic device 130 (operation 208), and theindication 150 of the command 140 is transmitted from the remote controldevice 110 to the first electronic device 120 (operation 210). Theindication 150 of the command is received at the first electronic device120 (operation 212) and processed therein to alter operation of thefirst electronic device 120 (operation 214).

In another embodiment, FIG. 3 depicts an electronic system 310 includinga remote control device 310 and a first electronic device 320. In oneembodiment, the first electronic device 320 and a second electronicdevice 330 are configured to be controlled by the remote control device310. In conjunction with FIG. 3, FIG. 4 illustrates by way of flowdiagram a method 400 for informing the first electronic device 320concerning activity of the remote control device 310. In the method 400,a user input 380 signifying a change of a mode of the remote controldevice 310 is accepted at the remote control device 310 (operation 402).The mode identifies one of a plurality of electronic devices, such asthe electronic devices 320, 330 of FIG. 3, for receiving commands fromthe remote control device 310. The mode of the remote control device 310is changed in response to the user input 380 (operation 404). Anindication 360 of the mode change is generated in the remote controldevice 310 (operation 406), which is then transmitted from the remotecontrol device 310 to the first electronic device 320 (operation 408).The first electronic device 320 then receives the indication 360 of themode change (operation 410), and processes the indication 360 to alteroperation of the first electronic device 320 (operation 412).

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention: an electronicsystem 500 including a remote control device 510, a first electronicdevice 520, and a second electronic device 530. In this particularembodiment, the first electronic device 520 is a satellite set-top box520, while the second electronic device 530 is a television set 530 incommunication with the satellite set-top box 520. However, each of theelectronic devices 520, 530 may be any device controlled by way of theremote control device 510, including, but not limited to, a cableset-top box, an over-the-air terrestrial broadcast set-top box, an audioamplifier or receiver, a video cassette recorder (VCR), a digital videorecorder (DVR), a CD player, a DVD player, and a display device (such asa television set, a computer or video monitor, a projection display, ora flat panel display). Other embodiments may include more than the twoelectronic devices 520, 530 displayed in FIG. 5, such as the thirdelectronic device 570 discussed in greater detail below.

Both the first electronic device 520 and the second electronic device530 are configured to be controlled by the remote control device 510under the guidance of a user. In one embodiment, the remote controldevice 510 utilizes an operation “mode” which determines which of theelectronic devices 520 are to be controlled via the remote controldevice 510 at any particular time.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the remote control device 510 includes auser interface 512, control logic 514, and a transmitter 516. The userinterface 512 is configured to accept user input 570 for a variety ofreasons, including, but not limited to, controlling either or both ofthe electronic devices 520, 530, or changing the current mode of theremote control device 510. The user interface 510 may include any meansemployable by a user to provide input to the remote control device 510,such as pushbuttons, switches, touch pads, joysticks, and the like.Also, the user interface 512 may further include lamps, light-emittingdiodes (LEDs), and other components for providing informational feedbackto the user.

The user interface 512 is configured to receive user input 570signifying commands for either the satellite set-top box 520 or thetelevision set 530. Such commands may include, but are not limited to,turning the particular electronic device 520, 530 on or off, selecting aparticular broadcast channel on the device 520, 530, modifying a volumeor audio level output of the device 520, 530, and accessing a menuprovided by the device 520, 530. The user may input such commands by wayof numeric pushbuttons, directional (e.g., up or down) pushbuttons, orany of the other means mentioned above.

To specify which electronic device 520, 530 is to receive commands fromthe remote control device 510, the user interface 512 may provide ameans to allow the user to signify the mode in which the remote controldevice 510 operates. As mentioned above, the mode determines to which ofthe electronic devices 520, 530 subsequent commands are to be directed.For example, while in “satellite set-top box” mode, commands input bythe user by way of the user interface 512 are formatted for andtransmitted to the satellite set-top box 520. Similarly, while in“television set” mode, the commands input via the user interface 512 areformatted for and transferred to the television set 530. In oneembodiment, setting the mode may merely involve pressing a particularbutton of the user interface 520 specifically identified with thedesired mode.

Presuming the remote control device 510 is in television mode while theuser inputs a command 540 at the user interface 512, the control logic514 of the remote control device 510 is configured to generate thecommand 540 for use by the television set 520. The command 540 generatedby the control logic 514 is in a form that is understandable by thetelevision set 520. In one embodiment, the command 540 is represented bya series of binary digits (bits) which identify the command, indicatethe intended electronic device to be controlled, and provide a number ofredundancy bits for error detection and/or correction purposes.

The control logic 514 is also configured to generate an indication 550of the command 540 for use by the satellite set-top box 520 in order toinform the set-top box 520 of the user activity in controlling thetelevision set 530. In one embodiment, this indication 550 is generatedin the form of a code or other format understandable by the set-top box520.

The transmitter 516 of the remote control device 510 is configured totransmit the command 540 by employing a technology and format acceptableto the television set 530. For example, the transmitter 516 may be aninfrared transmitter commonly employed in remote control units. In otherembodiments, the transmitter 516 may employ other wireless communicationtechnologies, such as UHF or ultrasonic transmissions. Similarly, thetransmitter 516 is configured to transmit the indication 550 of thecommand 540 to the satellite set-top box 520. In one embodiment, theindication 550 of the command 540 is appended to the end of the command540 itself. Such an embodiment is possible if the communicationtechnology employed by the set-top box 520 and the television set 530are the same, such as infrared technology. In another implementation,the set-top box 520 may employ a different communication form, such asUHF. In that case, the transmitter 516 of the remote control device 510may actual include two separate transmitters: a UHF transmitter forcommunicating with the set-top box 520, and an infrared transmitter forcommunicating with the television set 530. Other combinations oftransmitters for the remote control device 510 are possible in otherembodiments.

The set-top box 520 includes a receiver 522 compatible with thetransmitter 516 of the remote control device 510 for receiving thecommands 540. The receiver 522 also is configured to receive theindication 550 of the command 540 as described above. Similarly, thetelevision set 530 includes its own receiver 532 for receiving commands540 as well. Each of the receivers 522, 524 may be an infrared receiver,a UHF receiver, an ultrasonic receiver, or any other receiver compatiblewith the particular communication technology utilized by the transmitter516 of the remote control device 510.

The television set 530 also includes control logic 534 configured toprocess the command 540 received from the remote control device 510 inorder to modify the operation of the television set 520 according to thecommand 540. Similarly, control logic 524 within the set-top box 520processes commands it receives from the remote control device 510 inorder to execute those commands. In addition, the control logic 524within the set-top box 520 processes the indication 550 of the command540 described above to alter the operation of the set-top box 520, eventhough the set-top box 520 neither receives nor executes the command 540itself.

In one embodiment, the set-top box 520, upon receiving the indication550, may terminate a standby mode within the set-top box 520. Asdiscussed earlier, standby mode may be invoked within the set-top box520 at certain times of day or after a predetermined time of userinactivity, and is used to update programming information from asatellite, conserve power and wear of various components of the set-topbox 520, and the like. In another example, presuming a timer (not shownin FIG. 5) is employed within the set-top box 520 to determine whenstandby mode should be invoked, the set-top box 520 may alter the valueof the timer to postpone standby mode.

One advantage of employing the indication 550 of a command 540 to beexecuted by the television set 530 is that the satellite set-top box 520is notified of user activity regarding the television set 530, eventhough the user has not interacted with the set-top box 520. Forexample, the user may be periodically raising or lowering the volumelevel of the television set 530 without interacting with the set-top box520. As a result, initiation of standby mode in the set-top box 520while the user is still actively watching or listening to programmingfrom the set-top box 520 via the television set 530 may be avoided.

Depending on the embodiment, the commands 540 intended for thetelevision 530 may be mapped to one or more indications 550. Forexample, all of the commands 540 that may be transmitted from the remotecontrol device 510 to the television set 530 may be associated with asingle digital code for the indication 550. In that case, the satelliteset-top box 520 will not be able to ascertain which specific command 540was issued to the television set 530. In another embodiment, eachcommand 540 may be associated with a distinct code for the indication550, thus allowing the set-top box 520 to determine exactly whichcommand 540 was transmitted to the television set 530.

In another embodiment, a code for an indication 550 associated with anon or off command 540 may be unique from any other codes implemented sothat the set-top box 520 is aware of that particular command. In thatevent, the set-top box 520 may present a “welcome screen” for display onthe television set 530. The welcome screen may present information ofinterest to a user that has just powered on the television set 530. Forexample, the welcome screen may list programs of potential interest thatare being aired that night, recent changes to the programming schedule,new programming available on a pay-per-view basis, and so on. In anotherembodiment, the set-top box 520 may provide a “welcome channel” fordisplay to the television set 530. Such a channel may include theinformation discussed in relation to the welcome screen, plus providepreviews and other relevant programming information. The welcome channelmay also include various graphics and text providing informationrelating to various aspects of the satellite communication system.

Presuming other components, such as an audio amplifier or a DVD player,are configured to be controlled by the remote control device 510,indications 550 associated with each command transmitted from the remotecontrol device 510 to those components may be sent to the set-top box520 to inform the set-top box 520 of any user activity related to theoperation of any of these components.

In another embodiment, the set-top box 520 may be informed of useractivity in operating the remote control device 510 even when nocommands are issued to the television set 520 or other electronicdevice. For example, when the user signifies a mode change through theuser interface 512 of the remote control device 510 to switch devices tobe controlled, the control logic 514 may generate an indication 560 ofthe mode change. The transmitter 516 may then transmit the indication560 of the mode change to the set-top box 520, wherein the indication560 is received at the set-top box receiver 522, and then processed bythe associated control logic 524 to alter the operation of the set-topbox 520, as described above. Thus, in this particular embodiment, eventhough no commands 540 are transmitted from the remote control 510, theinteraction between the user and the remote control device 510 providesthe impetus for issuing an indication 560 of that activity to theset-top box 520. In other embodiments, other interactions between theuser and the user interface 512 of the remote control device 510 that donot result in a command 540 being transmitted may instigate thegeneration and transmission of an indication to the set-top box 520 toindicate the presence of the user.

In another embodiment, a signal 590 associated with the indication 550,560 received by the set-top box 520 may be transmitted to the televisionset 530 for display to the user. In one example, if the set-top box 520receives an indication 560 associated with a mode change in the remotecontrol device 510, the set-top box 520 may transfer the signal 590 tothe television set 530 to alert the user of the mode change. In oneembodiment, the signal 590 takes the form of text or graphics displayedon the television set 530 that are indicative of the mode change. Suchinformation may be valuable to a user who has inadvertently changed themode of the remote control device 510 and is subsequently confused as towhy user input to the remote control device 510 no longer results incommands being issued to the desired electronic device. In otherembodiments, other indications 550, 560 received at the set-top box 520as a result of user activity involving the user interface 512 of theremote control device 510, or transmissions of commands 540 from theremote control device 510, may cause the set-top box 520 to issue asignal 590 associated with the particular indication 550, 560 to thetelevision set 530.

In another embodiment, the set-top box 520 may include its owntransmitter 526 for providing an indication 580 of the command 540 to athird electronic device 570. In turn, the third electronic device 570may then receive the indication 580 of the command 540 by way of areceiver 572 compatible with the transmitter 526 of the set-top box 520and, in response, employ control logic 574 to alter its own operation.For example, presuming the third electronic device 570 is an audioamplifier coupled with either the set-top box 520 or the television set530, and the command 540 from the remote control device 510 is a commandto increase audio volume, the set-top box 520 may transmit an indication580 of the command 540 to the audio amplifier 570 in response toreceiving the command indication 550 from the remote control device 510.In response to receiving its command indication 580, the audio amplifier570 may increase its volume in response. As a result, the user need notchange the mode of the remote control device 510 to specificallycommunicate with the audio amplifier 570, or employ a separate remotecontrol for the audio amplifier 570, in order to cause an increase involume of the amplifier 570. As before, the transmitter 526 of theset-top box 520 and the receiver 572 of the audio amplifier 570 mayemploy any wired or wireless communication technology, such as infrared,ultrasonic, or UHF technologies.

Each of the control logic components 514, 524, 534 shown in FIG. 5 maybe any electronic hardware, software, or combination, such as anapplication-specific IC, or a microprocessor, microcontroller or digitalsignal processor (DSP) with firmware. Further, the control logiccomponents 514, 524, 534 may control many other aspects of the remotecontrol device 510, the set-top box 520, and the television set 530 notdiscussed herein.

While several embodiments of the invention have been discussed herein,other embodiments encompassed by the scope of the invention arepossible. For example, while embodiments of the invention have beendescribed specifically in connection with a satellite broadcast set-topbox, such as that normally associated with video and audio programming,other electronic devices, such as cable television set-top boxes, CD andDVD players, audio receivers and amplifiers, and other electronicdevices, may benefit from application of the concepts described herein.Also, aspects of one embodiment may be combined with those ofalternative embodiments to create further implementations of the presentinvention. Thus, while the present invention has been described in thecontext of specific embodiments, such descriptions are provided forillustration and not limitation. Accordingly, the proper scope of thepresent invention is delimited only by the following claims and theirequivalents.

1. An electronic system, comprising: a remote control device; and afirst electronic device, wherein the remote control device is configuredto accept a user input signifying a command for a second electronicdevice, generate the command for the second electronic device and anindication of the command, transmit the command to the second electronicdevice, and transmit the indication of the command to the firstelectronic device, and wherein the first electronic device is configuredto receive the indication of the command, and process the indication ofthe command to alter operation of the first electronic device.
 2. Theelectronic system of claim 1 wherein: the first electronic devicecomprises one of a satellite broadcast receiver, a cable broadcastreceiver, and an over-the-air terrestrial broadcast receiver; and thesecond electronic device comprises a display device in communicationwith the first electronic device.
 3. The electronic system of claim 1wherein the first electronic device is configured to process theindication of the command to transmit a signal associated with theindication of the command to the second electronic device for display.4. The electronic system of claim 1 wherein the first electronic deviceis configured to process the indication of the command to transmit asecond indication of the command to a third electronic device.
 5. Theelectronic system of claim 1 wherein the control logic of the firstelectronic device is configured to alter the operation of the firstelectronic device by presenting programming-related information fordisplay on the second electronic device.
 6. The electronic system ofclaim 5 wherein the programming-related information is presented as atleast one of a static video screen and a video channel.
 7. Theelectronic system of claim 1 wherein the first electronic device isconfigured to alter the operation of the first electronic device byterminating or postponing a standby mode of the first electronic device.8. The electronic system of claim 1 wherein the remote control devicetransmits each of the command and the indication of the command by wayof at least one of an ultra-high frequency signal, an infrared signal,and an ultrasonic signal.
 9. The electronic system of claim 1 whereinthe command comprises one of turning on the second electronic device,turning off the second electronic device, modifying a volume output ofthe second electronic device, selecting a channel of the secondelectronic device, and accessing a menu of the second electronic device.10. A method for informing a first electronic device concerning controlof a second electronic device, the method comprising: accepting a userinput at a remote control device, wherein the input signifies a commandfor the second electronic device; generating the command for the secondelectronic device in the remote control device; generating an indicationof the command in the remote control device; transmitting the commandfrom the remote control device to the second electronic device;transmitting the indication of the command from the remote controldevice to the first electronic device; receiving the indication of thecommand at the first electronic device; and processing the indication ofthe command in the first electronic device to alter operation of thefirst electronic device.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingtransmitting a signal associated with the indication of the command fromthe first electronic device to the second electronic device for display.12. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting a secondindication of the command from the first electronic device to a thirdelectronic device in response to processing the first indication of thecommand.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein altering the operation ofthe first electronic device comprises terminating or postponing astandby mode of the first electronic device.
 14. The method of claim 10wherein the command comprises one of turning on the second electronicdevice, turning off the second electronic device, modifying a volumeoutput of the second electronic device, selecting a channel of thesecond electronic device, and accessing a menu of the second electronicdevice.